Historical information

Cottee's is a longstanding Australian food and beverage brand, in operation in the dairy industry since the early 20th century. Passiona - a sparkling passionfruit drink - has been produced by the company for almost as long, after being invented by Spencer Cottee in the earlier 1920s and fully introduced to markets by 1927. The "authorised bottlers" mentioned on the label included a number of now defunct Australian bottlers from across the nation. Applied Colour Labels were in heavy use from the mid-1930s. Based on the makers mark, this bottle was manufactured in 1938 by Australian Glass Manufacturers (AGM).

Significance

This is an older style of bottle that is no longer in use, creating a useful record of past manufacturing and style preferences.

Physical description

This item is a large 32 fluid ounce (~950 ml) glass bottle adorned with nutritional advice and Cottee's labelling. The glass forms a cylinder for half of the bottle's height, where it is joined to the upper part of the bottle which curves inward to a screw top. In the upper half of the bottle, there is an approximately 52 millimetre high strip with a textured relief pattern of small ovals, arranged to circumnavigate the bottle. Writing on the sides is in white Applied Colour Label - although it is possible the original colour may have faded. The writing at the bottom of the bottle is in relief.

Inscriptions & markings

Reverse:
High: "PLEASE RETURN THIS BOTTLE / AND RECEIVE YOUR REFUND"
Mid: "Cottee's / TRADE MARK REG'D. / BOTTLED BY / PASSIONA BOTTLING COMPANIES / AND AUTHORISED BOTTLERS / PRESERVATIVE ADDED. ARTIFICIALLY COLOURED / THIS FOOD CONTAINS SACCHARIN, A NON-NUTRITIVE / SWEETENING SUBSTANCE AND ADDED SUGAR. NET CONTENTS 32 FL. OZ."

Obverse: "Cottee's / SPARKLING DRINKS / SO REFRESHING!"

Bottom: "THIS DESIGN REMAINS / THE / PROPERTY OF / COTTEE'S LTD"